âThat is Bella and my private matters. No one else has the right to interfere. Sheâs started a new life, so
please stop bringing up her past connection to me,â Justin said sternly.
Zoeâs heartbeat pounded like a drum, resentment building. The undertone of Justinâs words. was
clearly speaking in defense of Bella. âHe was protecting her privacy, wasnât he?â
âAda Wang has left. If you donât want to perform for the guests tonight, I can send you home. at any
time.â
Justin looked away from Zoeâs pale face, pulled back his arm, and left without as much as a second
glance. Ian clicked his tongue twice, contemptuously stealing a glance at Zoe. He could not help but
wonder if this girl with a sharp tongue was really Ryanâs younger sister. Somehow, she seemed a bit
irritating, almost like she was asking for trouble.
âJustin! Justin! Justin Salvador!â
The first two calls went unanswered. Justin did not stop until Zoe used his full name.
âAre you defending Bella because youâve fallen in love with her? Are you still not over her?â Her voice
trembled with anger.
âNo, I donât love her,â Justin replied without hesitation, as if he were afraid that even the slightest delay
would reveal some truth he was not aware of.
âThen why do you keep speaking up for her? She doesnât love you. She toyed with you, took what
belongs to you, and then ruined the banquet youâve worked hard to arrange!â
âSheâs rotten to the core! Sheâs caused nothing but harm to you. Why do you side with her?â Zoeâs
voice became increasingly hysterical as she spoke.
She did not have Rosalindâs skill at disguising her emotions. After all, being the cherished daughter of
the Hoffman family, Zoe had always gotten whatever she desired. So, she spoke her mind and did as
she pleased. Now, for the first time, she had a taste of frustration.
The closer she tried to get to Justin, the more he seemed to retreat, distancing himself from her. When
he turned to look at her, his gaze was almost devoid of any warmth.
âYouâve never been married. You probably donât understand the respect that couples have for each
other. Bella was my wife once, so I showed her mercy. Whatâs the problem with that?â His words
pierced through Zoe like an arrow to the heart.
âEven if I donât love her, she was once my wife. Iâm the only one who can speak poorly of her. No one
else has that right.â
Cold rain began to fall from the night sky. Carrie sneaked out of Tideview Manor, holding a small teddy
bear close to her chest. She walked in the wind and rain before finally hailing a taxi.
By the time she made it to the Salvador Hotel, Carrieâs thin white cotton dress was already soaked.
However, the little bear in her arms remained perfectly dry, untouched by the rain.
Suffering from severe social anxiety, Carrie dared not enter through the front door and could only sneak
in through the back door of her familyâs hotel.
Carrie avoided all the elegantly dressed guests, fidgeting as she hurriedly walked through the corridor.
âStop right there!â Carrie abruptly halted, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite being Gregory
Salvadorâs youngest daughter, at that moment, she felt like a thief.
Two patrolling bodyguards approached, disdainfully scrutinizing Carrie for her disheveled appearance
and plain clothing.
âThis hotel is hosting an important banquet tonight. Stay away!â
âI⦠I want to see Ada Wang⦠Please, let me see her. Just one look, and Iâll leave!â Carrie pleaded
pitifully.
âNo! Youâre not allowed to enter without an invitation. Hurry up and leave!â The bodyguard said harshly,
reaching out to shoo her away.
âLook around you! Do you think this is a place for poor students like you? Hurry up and get lost!â
Carrie truly liked Ada Wang, so she was extremely determined. Whatever she set her mind to, she
would do it, no matter how difficult. Gritting her teeth, Carrie hugged the teddy bear tightly, took a few
steps back, and rammed into the bodyguard.
âAh!â The fragile Carrie was caught by the burly bodyguard. He flung her, along with the teddy bear,
away. Carrie closed her eyes and braced for impact, but she did not fall to the ground.
Instead, she landed in a firm and familiar embrace.